1955 Chevy 210 Suspension - Episode II

Going The Extra Mile

Going the extra mile," is a phrase many of us hate to hear (because it usually means more work). But on the other hand, we love to reap the benefits of that extra effort, because that's what it takes to raise the bar on performance.

Isn't it funny, though, that just when you think everything is done, something else pops up. Take for instance the stock '55 Chevy that received new suspension and brakes in last month's issue. Ring any bells? You know, the baby blue one that received a host of performance goodies from McGaughy's Suspension Parts such as tubular control arms, lowering springs, rear leafs, and disc brakes. We also topped it off with a new set of tires from Coker and rims from Wheel Vintiques. And before you ask, the "Road Rage" results are coming! Well it's been decided that that suspension upgrade alone wasn't going to be enough to get the results we are after. Therefore, were going to go that "extra mile" to ensure our '55 will zig and zag through cones and any other obstacles in its way with a smile upon it's grille.

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By holding the control arm mounting bracket to its correct location on the control arm, Primedia Tech Center guru "Installation" Jason was able to see where the framerail mounting brackets needed to be positioned on the frame. Here he's marking where the bracket will be placed.

To complement our '55's modern-day suspension setup we added front and rear sway bars with polyurethane bushings from Performance Suspension Technology. But why add sway bars, you ask? To help diminish body roll and lean when the car goes around corners. By linking the front wheels together and to the chassis, the sway bar essentially counteracts the natural tendency for the body to lift away from the suspension on the same side of the vehicle that is heading into the turn. Likewise, by doing the same at the rearend housing (by linking each side with a bar and affixing it to the rear framerails) the bar helps prevent the body from lifting, therefore helping it to keep a more level attitude going around corners. What it all boils down to is sway bars not only help improve real-world handling, but performance handling as well. And that will go a long way in helping to make a 50-year-old Shoebox handle like a new performance machine.

As you'll see by the pictures, installing the PST components was relatively easy. Of course, if you don't have access to a lift, you'll be stuck on your back for a couple of hours. But in our book, the effort is certainly outweighed by the awesome performance gain. As for how they work on this baby blue beauty, you'll have to wait and see our test results coming up in a couple of months. Stay tuned!

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1955 Chevy 210 Suspension - Episode II

By holding the control arm mounting bracket to its correct location on the control arm, Primedia Tech Center guru "Installation" Jason was able to see where the framerail mounting brackets needed to be positioned on the frame. Here he's marking where the bracket will be placed.

Two holes were drilled to make way for the chassis U-bolts.

On the other side of the frame, Jason transferred the measurements of the framerail mounting brackets in order to mount the other bracket.

The Performance Suspension Technology polyurethane bushings were placed on the PST sway bar. Poly bushings offer more flex resistance than do rubber bushings and give a firmer feel.

Here the sway bar was bolted up to the chassis U-bolts.

If you are utilizing the stock control arms then the sway bar kit comes with the correct mounting brackets. However our '55 has tubular control arms that needed to have a mounting bracket fabricated. But first the control arm finish needed to be ground off in order to accept welding.

Here you can see our brackets half-finished. By using one plate and welding it horizontally to the control arm, and bracing it with two (although only one is shown) triangular gussets mounted vertically we were able to gain the support and strength needed.

After installing our fabricated mounts, we secured the sway bar to the brackets with the proper mounting hardware and bushings.

The rear sway bar setup is a little different. The first two U-bolts are saddled against the rear axle. Then a flat plate is slid up against the axle.

Once the bushings were on the new PST sway bar, we attached the bar to the U-bolts. Before you tighten the nuts, eyeball the sway bar and try to center it as best as possible.

Next, lower the car to ride height. At this time check for two things: Make sure the sway bar is correctly centered, and then locate a spot on the underside of the framerail to mount the brackets.

Since the brackets have to mount on the "uphill" slope of the frame the brackets are manufactured to mount level. Once you have calculated where the brackets need to mount mark two holes.

Use the chassis U-bolts, bushings, and connecting bolt to secure the sway bar to the frame. Now you're ready to rock, with more roll control than ever. And we're soon to find out as our modernized Tri-Five gets readied for its day at the track.

Mark Webster is a Hot Rodder at heart and it was killing him to hold back behind the wheel of a all-numbers matching Chevy, so he sold it and purchased a 1965 Chevy Bel Air that got its suspension upgraded to a whole suspension system. - Super Chevy Magazine » Read More